OTLEY Ukulele Orchestra has marked its eighth birthday in fine melodic style.

The group celebrated the anniversary with a greatest hits themed ‘sing-and-play-along’ live stream on Saturday, May 16.

The session was open to anyone and saw the orchestra’s members playing an eclectic selection of hit songs by the likes of REM, The Zutons, Katrina and The Waves, Pulp, The Killers, Queen, The Levellers, Oasis and Meat Loaf.

The tunes that were covered included Common People, Valerie, Don’t Look Back in Anger, Bat Out of Hell, Don’t Stop Me Now, Come Up and See Me, The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite. What a Beautiful Day and Walking on Sunshine.

Jennifer Pugh and Richard Sabey from The Woolpack Music & Art Studios, the Community Interest Company that runs the orchestra - which has been performing since May, 2012 - said it was a ‘fabulous’evening that everyone enjoyed.

The group has been operating online since the cornavirus lockdown began and is inviting more people to join its regular 7.30pm sing-and-play-along live streams on Mondays.

Anyone can take part with the sessions being run on a ‘pay as you feel’ basis and donations, of any amount, are welcomed.

Links to a PDF file featuring the lyric and chord sheets, and to the Zoom or Facebook streams, can be found at www.woolpackstudios.co.uk/streaming.